Lucky would’ve felt better about the whole situation if Walter scowled and merely told him,“You’re a suspicious asshole.”
No such luck.
“Lower ratings help explain why my superiors believe we need a director with more experience,” Walter said, though more to himself than Lucky.
“Has anyone mentioned that again?” Who did Lucky need to beat to a pulp? Or better yet, send Jimmy with direct orders.
Walter sighed again. “Yes. And I’ve been asked for my retirement date on three separate occasions this week alone.”
The fuckers. “Did you tell them you’d leave when you were good and damned ready?”
“I told them I would leave once my replacement is ready for me to step back.”
“Same thing.”
Walter winked. “As you might say, ‘yeah, buddy.’”
“Has O’Donoghue said anything? Given any indication he knows? Shown up with packing boxes?”
“Not with words, but every time he enters this office, I expect him to measure for drapes.”
Not happening. The job belonged to Bo, and Bo alone.
But how to convince the SNB?
Two hours later, Walter sent Lucky a text.“It is done. O’Donoghue has officially been named new director. Not only do they feel the SNB needs more experience, they believe your relationship may cloud Bo’s judgement.”
Well, fuck.
Bo stopped by Lucky’s cube. “You ready?”
“Ready? For what?”
Bo crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes. “Alejandro’s checkup, and I’m taking you to get a rental car.”
“Oh.” Lucky had been so upset over work he’d totally forgotten his existence outside of this place.
Bo drove, while Lucky tried to figure out what to say. They stopped at a red light and Bo turned to face Lucky. “I know something’s on your mind. You’ve got the ‘planting potatoes’ groove between your brows, and you’re grinding your teeth.”
“How’d you know that? You were watching the road.”
“Lucky, how long have we known each other? Trust me, I know.”
Yeah, he did. “You talk to Walter lately?”
The light turned green. Bo shifted his focus back to the road and accelerated. His Adam’s apple bobbed with a hard swallow. “Yes, he told me the SNB brass gave the director job to O’Donoghue. What you found with the case closure rates was given as one reason. My relationship with you another. They also brought up my age, and history.”
Self-righteous dickwads. “You’ve done your time. They can’t bring that up again.”
“And yet, they did. Look, Lucky, I don’t really care. I told you that. We’ll be fine, I’ll be fine.” He forced out the fakest laugh Lucky’d ever heard. “Maybe this means I’ll have more time with my family. Lord knows I’ve been keeping some late hours at work lately.”
No, he wouldn’t. With Bo’s undercover skills, he’d be back out on the streets, or possibly gone for months. Being gone and risking themselves hadn’t figured into Bo and Lucky’s plans when they decided to start a family.
“O’Donoghue will surround himself with butt kissers and run the place into the ground.” Victor’s outfit wanted Lucky, but he’d be no better off with them. Besides, they were international. Lucky might never see his family.
He’d get to drive damned fine cars, though.
Bo had a pharmacy degree, but also reasons not to work as a pharmacist. They were good at their jobs, if folks would leave them alone to take care of business.
